Hearing set on education bills

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Hearings are set for two Nebraska bills that would create a state grant program and a task force intended to draw workers into high-demand job fields.

The Legislature's Education Committee will review both bills on Monday.

One measure would create a public-private partnership that would fund grants of up to $1,000 per school year for community college students. A state commission would oversee the program and work with community colleges, including tribal colleges, and the Department of Labor to identify fields where more workers are needed.

Another bill that would create a task force to study Nebraska's career-education opportunities. The commission would make suggestions to lawmakers by the year's end.